Hericium sp.

Hericium abietis, Hericium americanum, Hericium erinaceus

(Like a Hedgehog)

Bear’s Head Mushroom, Lion’s Mane, Western Coral Hedgehog

Walking through the dank darkness of the Northwest forest, and a snowball like specimen comes into view. A strange time of year to find a snowball in the forest, you walk closer and see this pearly white beauty of a toothed mushroom. It smells sweet and bitter and you can’t help but drool. The mushroom feels hearty and meaty and calls to you, there is no doubt it will be delicious. The teeth hang down like icicles and let off the spores from the tips.

Distribution

Found throughout North America. The fruiting bodies are usually found as individuals on fallen conifer logs, often Douglas Fir, Pseudotsuga menzeseii, in the Pacific Northwest.

This is a parasitic mushroom, slowly killing it’s host.

Hericium abietis is usually found in California, but does come up to the Pacific Northwest. Hericium americanum is also found here, and I have come across H. erinaceus once or twice.

Daily oral administration of aqueous H. erinaceus could promote the regeneration of injured peroneal nerve in early stage recovery3

There is evidence of Nerve cells stimulation and enhancement of cognitive abilities.

Lull GI inflammation and cool down ulcers

Treats pancreatitis, caused by digestive enzymes performing their duty in the wrong location – pancreas instead of small intestine.

Has shown to be an effective therapy for intestinal, stomach and pancreatic cancers, it is chemo-protective.5

Lowers blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels

Stimulates nerve growth factor

Neutrophic factors are essential to maintain and organize neurons functionality; hence neutrophic factor like substances or their inducers may be applied to the treatments of neurodegenerative diseases.

NGF levels are decreased in the basal forebrains of alzheimer’s patients.

Hericium sp. Aqueous extract has also shown to discourage the development of plaque in the brain – another reason why it could be a helpful therapy for alzheimer’s disease

Showed to help diabetic neuropathy

Intake has the possibility to reduce depression and anxiety through the NGF enhancing action.4 specifically for menopausal females.

TCM

Used for stomach ailments

Used for treatment of GI cancer and gastric ulcers

Energetics

Cool, tonic

Preparations

Dual Extract – See F. pinicola

This one you can eat! Here is an easy recipe:

Ingredients:

Hericium sp.

1 yellow onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 Tbs Ghee, coconut oil, or butter

Salt or tamari to taste

Instructions

Chop up the mushroom

Warm up coconut oil, ghee, or butter on a skillet over medium-high heat

Add the mushroom

When it looks like the mushroom has given off most of its moisture, add sliced onion and chopped garlic until the mushrooms are brown and the onion is soft